The slicker twin to Kaju Varo, the orchard set-up in Ashvem, Noi Varo (‘River Breeze’ in Goan) was also created by ‘Shunya’, the brainchild of an Indian creative director turned social entrepreneur and his Scandinavian interior-designer partner. It has the same rustic palette, high-rafter ceilings, graceful East-West fusion and laid-back 2-legged chairs.

Surrounded by woods, and only 15 minutes' drive from Morjim and Ashvem beaches, Siolim village boasts the dazzling-white St Anthony’s church, and lots of beautiful old Portuguese/Goan houses. Though sadly they’re often empty and crumbling, and the village centre is run-down and dusty.

In stark contrast, Noi Varo’s intercom-secured gate opens onto a colonnaded porch between wooden-decked, waterlily-encircled bedroom verandas. Beyond is the huge, cool atrium hallway, featuring a long, gurgling, spotlit fountain, which also serves as a heated lounge pool. The 3 bedrooms leading off this atrium are a graceful blend of charming century-old Portuguese and chic minimalist brand-new. Beds are wide, firm and comfortable, the ensuite bathrooms spacious and modern, and Western technology is to hand with flatscreen TVs with Tata Sky, WiFi, and an iPod player in the cheerful lounge. Out back you'll find a thin infinity pool lined by decking, plus a shady sand garden and tree-platform beside a spur of the wide Chapora river.

Rooms

The entrance hallway to Noi Varo sets the tone: soaring up to the rafters over the oblong infinity fountain and walls graced with framed prints from photographer-creative director-social entrepreneur-owner Vikram, it’s sleek and impressive.

Two bedrooms open off it - both have little anterooms/dressing rooms connecting them to their bathrooms - and the third, is down a step next to the dining room. All are similarly spacious, with ochre polished concrete floors and air-conditioning, plus a lounge area in the suites. French doors lead out onto little deck verandas that are bordered by water lilies, and rooks cawing and other birds tweeting add a peaceful country feel.

The rooms are clean, artistic and serene. Heavy original jackwood doors and shutters lend a satisfyingly antique feel, though their clunky old bolts tend to need wangling. The rust-red, orange and ochre upholstery is all handwoven in India, and dressing gowns and towels are waffle-weave.

Wide beds (all doubles) are dressed in luxury-soft bedlinen. Wall-mounted flatscreen TVs face the beds, and you can get a DVD player on request – though you’ll need to bring your own movies. One bedroom has a mezzanine level with an additional single bed, reached via vertical metal rungs, so it's a good choice for parents with smaller children.

Bathrooms manage to be both modern (with Philippe Starck fittings and luxury rain showers) yet also soothingly earthy; natural soaps are supplied. The largest room, has a walk-in double-header shower.

There is also an additional loft space available which can sleep another couple, but its bathroom is a short walk away. Note that there are 8 speakers and an amp so you can plug in your iPod and supply music throughout the house.

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